Josh Patashnik

Josh Patashnik brings to his practice a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of appellate litigation. As a deputy solicitor general at the California Department of Justice, Josh worked on many of the state’s most complex and consequential matters, with a particular focus on litigation in the Supreme Court of the United States and the California Supreme Court. He routinely served as the lead drafter of briefs and argued more than a dozen cases at all levels of the federal and state judiciary. His experience spans a wide range of substantive legal areas, including constitutional and administrative law, federal preemption, environmental law, and antitrust and unfair competition.

Josh counseled the Attorney General of California—as well as the Governor, other high-ranking state officials, and dozens of state agencies—on key strategic decisions at all stages of litigation, from building an administrative record to trial to appeal. He developed substantial experience in seeking and opposing requests for emergency relief in both federal and state courts, including writs, stays, and injunctions pending appeal. Josh also led settlement negotiations on behalf of state agencies; coordinated and drafted amicus curiae briefs on behalf of bipartisan multistate coalitions; and advised the Attorney General on proposed legislation, regulation, and policy initiatives.